Folding article of furniture.



W. L. DEMIN G.

FOLDING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1910.

992,758, Patented May 23, 1911.

[0 2245755555 9 JFZZ/EZYZUI %QM 12 ewmb'w ij. 66w W.LJ( j vbmfi rm Aw WILLIAM .L. Dannie, or SALEM, onro.

FOIIIDIN'G- ARTICLE 01 FURNITURE.

Specification otLetters-Patent, Patented llItty 23, .1911.

Application fil ed 111179, 1910. Serial No. 571,180.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. .DEMING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the count of Columbiana and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Folding Articles of Furniture, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdraw 1n I his invention relates to folding tables or similar articles of furniture, and it has for its object the production of an article of the character stated which shall be capa ble of folding into compact form when not in use or when the same is to be shipped, which shall be, capable of being convenient-1y folded and distended, which shall be simple in construction, rigid when in use and econoinical in manufacture;

With the above stated object in view, I

have invented a construction which, in its preferred form, I have shown in the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 is a s1de elevation of a table with the legs extended; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one end of the table, the same being on a larger scalethan Fig. 1, and showing the table legs in their folded position; Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the table, the lower ends of the legs being broken away; Fig. 4 is asectional view taken vertically on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken vertically on the line 5-5- of Fig. 4,

and Fig. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1. Taking up a complete description by the use of reference .characters, 7 denotesthe upper portion or topof the table, the same being provided with longitudinal and transverse cleats, 8 and9 respectively, on its lower side. Secured by means of screws 10, or by other suitable fastening devices, to the under side of the table and to the cleats 8, are members 11, within which the upper ends of the table legs 12 are pivoted. The members llmay be formed in any suitable manner, as by casting, the same having flanges through which the screws 10 may pass upwardly into the lowerside of the table and horizontally into the cleats 8. As indicated by dotted lines in Figs. '1 and 2, the upper and outer corners of the legs 12 are rounded so as to be substantially concentric with pins 13 that pass through the respective members 11, through the legs and through the cleats through. I prefer to fold the end legs of the table simultaneously; and, for this reason, I connect the legs at each end of the table in pairs, by braces 16. These braces are attached to the legs in such position that, when the legs are extended, as shown in Fig. 1, the braces will engage the lower edges of the pivot members 11 and thus prevent the legs from swinging any further in an outward direction.

For holding the legs 12 in their extended positions, I pivot to each leg, or at least to one leg at each end of the table, a rod 17, said rods being preferably tubular, .as-shown in Figs. 4 and 5. When the legs 12 are unfolded, the brace rods 17 extend upwardly and toward the center of the table, passing through cylindrical rocking members 18 that of these latter members is also formed with a transverse opening therein near the center through which the corresponding brace rod 17 projects. In folding'the table legs from the position shown'in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, the brace rods 17 move through the cylindrical members 18, and they also move from the upwardly inclined position to a horizontal position below the table, this latter change in position necessitating a rocking movement of the cylindricalmembers 18.

In order to lock-the legs 12 in their extended positions,I pivot detent pawls 20 to the brackets '19, said pawls extending over the cylindrical members 18 and between the side plates of the brackets 19. These pawls are each provided with hooked portions on their free ends, said portlons being adapted to drop into slots in the ends of the brace rods 17 when the legs are extended, as shown in Fig. 3. -When thus ennot move longitudinally and, consequently,

low

gaged by the detent pawls, the brace rods canthe table legs cannot be folded. To still further hold the rods 17 from longitudinal movement, I provide each of the cylindrical members 18 .with thumb screws 21, said screws being formed with milled heads 22, as shown in Fig. 5. When screwed inwardly, these screws engage the brace rods 17 and hold the latter firmly against movement. 7

As will be understood, the upper or free ends of the brace rods describe a curve as the legs are folding; and, to permit such movement, the table may be cut away, as indicated by the dotted lines 23 in Figs. 1 and 2. When the legs are folded, it isdesirable that they be held against movement;

and, for this purpose, I pivot to the free ends of the brace rods 17 holding pawls 24,

said pawls being provided with a projection or hook 25 that is adapted to enter a socket 26 in the lower end of the respective table leg. When thus engaged, the legs will be securely held in their folded positions, and to further secure them in this position, screws 21 may be screwed tightly against the rods 17. The socket 26 may also be used for casters when the tableis unfolded. \Vhile thesame has not been illustrated, the pawls 24 may be provided with springs so as to hold them in engagement with the legs.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a folding article of furniture, the combination with a top and a pivoted leg, of a brace rod pivoted to the leg and slidably carried by the top, and means carried by the brace rod for engaging the foot of the leg when folded.

2. In a folding article of furniture, the combination with a top member, of a plurality of legs pivoted to said member so as to swing outwardly or to fold inwardly, brace rods pivoted to said legs, brackets secured below the top member, a cylindrical member journaled within each bracket, said latter members being each provided with an opening through which the respective brace rod extends, and means for securing said rods in their respective cylindrical members so as to hold the legs in either their extended or folded positions.

3. In a folding article of furniture, the combination with a top member, of leg supports secured to said member, a le for and pivoted in each of said supports, a race rod pivoted to each leg, a bracket for each brace rod, said brackets being secured below the top member, a cylindrical member journaled in each of said brackets, said latter member being provided with an opening therein through which the respective brace rod extends, and a pawl for and pivoted to each of said brackets, said pawls being adapted .to engage the brace rods and lock them against movement while the legs are extended.

4. In a folding article of furniture, the combination with a top member, of leg sup-. ports secured to said member, a leg for and pivoted in each of said supports, a brace rod pivoted to each leg, a bracket for each brace rod, said brackets being secured below the top member, a cylindrical member journaled in each of said brackets, said member being provided with an opening therein through which the res ective brace rod extends, a pawl for and plvoted to each of said brackets, said pawls being adapted to engage the brace rods and lock them against movement While the legs are extended, and a set screw for each cylindrical member, said set screws being adapted for holding the rods against movement through the cylindrical members.

5. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, of a leg pivoted below said member, said leg having a socket in its lower end, a brace rod pivoted to said leg, meanssecured to the top member for engaging said rod andholding the leg in its extended position, and a .hook on the free end of said rod for engagin in the socket in the leg when the latter is olded and thus holding the leg in its folded position.

6. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, of a leg pivoted below said member, said leg having a socket in its lower end, and a hook adapted to engage in the socket in the leg when the latter is folded and thus hold the leg in its folded position.

7. I11 a folding table, the combination with a top member, of a leg pivoted to said member, said leg being provided with a socket in its lower end, a brace rod pivoted a stationary pawl adapted to engage the said rod to holdthe leg in its exten position, and a pawl on the end of said rod, said pawl being adapted to engage in the socket in the table leg when the latter is folded, whereby the leg is held in its folded position.

8. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, of a leg pivoted to said member, said leg being provided with a socket in its lower end, a brace rod pivoted to said leg, a bracket secured to the top member, a cylindrical member journaled in said bracket, said cylindrical member having an opening therein through'which the brace rod passes, a'pawl secured to the bracket and adapted to engage said rod to hold the leg in its extended position, and a pawl on the end of said rod, said pawl being adapted to engage in the socket in the table leg when the latter is folded, whereby the leg is held in its folded position.

9. In a folding table, the combination with a top member, of a leg support secured to said member, a table leg extending within said support, said leg having an opening therethrough,a bushing lining said opening, a pin extending through said support and through the bushing, a brace rod pivoted to said leg, a bracket secured to the top member, a cylindrical member journaled in said bracket, said latter member having an opening therethrough for the brace rod, a stationary pawl adapted to engage the brace rod and hold the leg in its extended position, and a second pawl adapted to enter the socket in the lower end ofthe leg and hold the latter in its folded osition. v

10. In a folding ta le, the combination with a top member, of a leg support secured to said member, a table leg extending within said support, said leg having an opening therethrough, a bushing lining said opening, a pin extending through said sup: port and throu" h the bushing, a brace rod pivoted to said a bracket secured to the top member, a cylindrical member journaled in said bracket, said latter member "having an opening therethrough for the brace rod, a pawl-pivoted to said bracket so as to engage the brace rod and hold the leg in its extended position, a second pawl pivoted to' the end of the brace rod, said second pawl being adapted to enter a socket in the lower end of the leg and hold the latter in its folded position, and a set screw. in the cylin-' drical member for holding the brace rod against accidental movement.

11. In a folding article of furniture, the V combination of a top, a leg pivotally connected therewith, a bracket carried on the rod slidable through said member and con nected at one end with said leg, a hook carried by the brace rod near its other end, and means'for locking the brace rod when the leg is extended.

In testimonywhereof, I hereunto aflix my signaturein the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L.- DEMING.

Witnesses:

BRENNAN B. Wns'r, OLIVER M. Karrmn. 

